Detect Thoughts useful in PFS? (Query for players and GM's)

[Llyra Sundancer]

Morning all.

I'm putting together my newest PFS character and my first full caster (Human Wildblooded Sylvan Sorcerer), and I'm trying to plan out my spell lists ahead of time. The character is going to be more of a utility type, focusing on control and buffing spells for the most part, but I wanted to make sure I checked the 'useful' box as well. Looking at 2nd level spells, after Aggressive Thundercloud, Communal Protection vs. Evil and the requisite Hideous Laughter, I was considering Detect Thoughts as an option. For players, do you think this would be useful, would it come up very often? I like spells like Charm Person and Detect Thoughts for out-of-combat utility but I'm not sure how much benefit I'd get from it in PFS... would something like Eagle's Splendor as a pre-combat buff serve better?

For GM's, how would you adjudicate the use of this spell? Assuming the target failed its save and was being questioned verbally on a topic, how much information would you be willing to offer up? In some scenarios I could see this as potentially game-breaking.

I know these are pretty general questions but I've never used the spell before, so any input would be appreciated.

[RealAlchemy]

Just off the top of my head, I can see one use that could be really handy.

"Anyone thinking around here? What are they thinking about? You say they are thinking about ambushing us from invisibility? Um, guys ..."

[Llyra Sundancer]

RealAlchemy wrote:

Just off the top of my head, I can see one use that could be really handy.

"Anyone thinking around here? What are they thinking about? You say they are thinking about ambushing us from invisibility? Um, guys ..."

That's interesting, especially with the ability to turn invisible myself. Never thought about using it as a scouting technique against hidden or invisible foes...

[Llyra Sundancer]

While I'm asking about spells - if you could get ONE damage spell at 3rd level for PFS, what would it be? Lightning Bolt? Fireball? Assume no meta-magic feats would be applied... the build has some trip-heavy elements so would Ice Spears be a good option?

[CigarPete]

Llyra Sundancer wrote:

While I'm asking about spells - if you could get ONE damage spell at 3rd level for PFS, what would it be? Lightning Bolt? Fireball? Assume no meta-magic feats would be applied... the build has some trip-heavy elements so would Ice Spears be a good option?

Haste. Will do as much in the first round or two as any nuke and lasts for 5-6 when you get it.

[Kurald Galain]

Llyra Sundancer wrote:

While I'm asking about spells - if you could get ONE damage spell at 3rd level for PFS, what would it be? Lightning Bolt? Fireball? Assume no meta-magic feats would be applied... the build has some trip-heavy elements so would Ice Spears be a good option?

If you want to trip things, go for Magic Missile + Toppling Spell.

For direct damage, few things beat the good ol' Fireball. Lightning Bolt is awkward to target. Ice Spears has rather low damage for its level.

[BretI]

I have a detect thoughts ability as part of the bloodline on my sorcerer.

Considering that it is obvious when you cast it, this spell becomes a lot less useful. Let's face it, after casting their first thought is going to be "What did they just do!"

There are a few scenarios where it can be very useful and you don't care that the NPC knows. Most of the time it becomes difficult to use.

Have you considered Alter Self?

[DM Livgin]

There are a few hitches that there are not stat blocks for some of the NPCs you would use this on (just makes more work for the GM). My inquisitor just got the detect lies ability, I'm waiting to see how that plays out.

[pauljathome]

I would expect the usefulness of detect lies to vary considerably by GM and situation.

It will almost always be useful in questioning captives, but charm person is often about as useful.

It really is only a little more useful in detecting an ambush than detect magic.

It will be VERY useful in some circumstances if you can cast it without being noticed. It has a long enough duration that will often be possible and methods exist to hide spell casting in general.

So, useful in the right scenarios. Useless in the wrong ones